offtheedgegardening

Puzzle

A hydrangea grown in acidic soil will have blue flowers. A hydrangea grown in alkaline soil will have pink flowers. You work it out.

Bobby has a very important job, she is chief chicken watcher. All day long, she stands sentry at her post watching for any protocol infringements. She rarely leaves this spot, only perhaps the odd break for a jolly race around the lawn with a stick, or a brief but enthusiastic greeting to a visiting gardener. Continue reading “Bobby the Diligent”

Waiting Patiently

This agapanthus has confirmed its intention to flower, now it is not a matter of “if” but of “when”. Looking beautiful in its lilac infused casing, I can wait until the time is right, in fact the anticipation enhances the experience. Each day I will check for fault lines and the bulgings of the eagerContinue reading “Waiting Patiently”

Celebrations

Happy Independence Day to all my friends across the pond! With love from the Mother Ship x

Dog Rose

Dog rose in the hedgerow on the way to work.

Heat wave, what heat wave?

They promised a heat wave. Lasting the whole week, with blistering sunshine and record temperatures. The scoundrels promised me! So what did we get? Rain. Not a shower or a mist of mizzle, proper heavy soaking rain all morning and well into the afternoon. As a gardener I should be pleased. As a human beingContinue reading “Heat wave, what heat wave?”

Treacle

My morning was spent extracting couch grass from L&L’s geranium border. Unlike yesterday there was little sun, just thick and heavy air with the occasional teasing drop of lukewarm rain. It was like running in treacle. Although the weather made it rather a gruelling task, I was reinvigorated by “all you could drink” MexicanContinue reading “Treacle”

Sleep or not to sleep

The hottest day of the year and we are told it won’t get much cooler tonight. This concerns me. We all have skills, things that come naturally to us, we excel in activities that others may struggle over. This might be watercolour painting, tightrope walking or ventriloquism. Mine is sleeping. Generally it takes approximately 30Continue reading “Sleep or not to sleep”

Salvia “Violette de Loire”

In the Rodgersia Queen’s garden this Salvia “Violette de Loire” gently smoulders in a sunny corner. Not only is she sophisticated, but earthy and sensual, quite at home reclining on a chaise longue in an 18th century French boudoir. The violet and deep purple flowers are as sumptuous as the velvet suit your dad woreContinue reading “Salvia “Violette de Loire””

Giant

Did I mention that Lord Mantle has extremely large hands?